Some call it the world's biggest news agency for the speed with which it is updated. Others see it as a valuable archive of information. Others, still, see it as a threat that needs to be manipulated. But Wikipedia which launched in 2001 has just turned wise on whom to let edit the pages of the free-for-all website.

Until now, Wikipedia allowed anyone to register to edit, for free, the pages which fans put together on just about anything. Now Wikipedia will sign up 20,000 unpaid so-called expert editors to check all changes to articles on living persons to avoid the potential that some people might tamper with the facts in order to embarrass others, whichmight have exposed Wikipedia to legal action.